Aston Lark acquires N&G direct marine trade book

Aston Lark, part of the Howden Group, stated they made the acquisition to expand their range of marine insurance products.

The trade book covers the full spectrum of the marine industry and will be offered by Aston Lark alongside its brand Haven Knox-Johnston. 

Following the acquisition, N&G, part of Zurich UK, will still continue to offer commercial marine products through insurance brokers, as well as specialist cover. 

Graham Clark, head of N&G, said that they would continue to have a strong relationship with Aston Lark.

“We believe the needs of commercial customers are best served by brokers. Today’s announcement gives our customers access to the benefits of a specialist insurance broker, whilst retaining the marine underwriting expertise of Navigators & General,” Clark said.

“We look forward to continuing to develop our strong relationship with Aston Lark as we further grow our business.”

New hire

As well as acquiring the trade book Aston Lark has also acquired underwriter Mike Jeffrey, who ran N&G’s commercial direct business. 

Head of marine at Aston Lark, Steve Hook, said of the new hire: “We’re really excited to welcome Mike to Aston Lark.

“As an experienced marine trades underwriter, he will continue to look after his clients as he has done for many years and help us widen the range of insurance products and solutions for businesses that service the marine industry. This acquisition reinforces our strong business relationship with Navigators & General.”

Jeffrey himself commented: “I am thrilled to be joining my new colleagues at Aston Lark. By adding marine trade insurance to complement their brilliant Haven Knox-Johnston offering, I am really looking forward to helping add to their fantastic reputation as the UK’s leading marine insurance specialist.”

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